Frameless building unit



April 1937' w. H. STULEN 2,075,875

Emummssv BUILDING UNIT Filed. June 20, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS.

A ril 6, 1937. w. H. STU LEN 2,075,875

FRAMELLES S BUILDING UNIT Filed June 20, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 9

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1 ATTORNEY 6 Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES.

. 2,075,875 FRAM LESS BUILDING UNIT Walter H. Stulen,

1936, Serial No. 86,361

Application June 20,

19 Claims.

This invention relates to frameless buildings and more particularly tofabricated metallic units adapted for the construction of suchbuildings. This application is a continuation-in-part of my applicationSerial No. 13,868 filed March 30, 1935, "and entitled Frameless buildingand method of making the same.

As completely discussed in my copending application referred to above, Ihave found that the construction of houses, stores, garages and otherstructures is facilitated and improved by the use of so-called framelessmembers adapted to form the various floors, walls, ceilings and the likeof a building and to entirely eliminate the skeleton framework such asthe joists, girders, and beams heretofore employed. In mycopending'application a particular type of structural unit isillustrated and described as being made up into panels, in turn formedinto complete walls, floors,

or ceilings to provide a frameless building. The present inventionrelates to an improved form of unit adapted for like purposes.

It is an object of my invention to provide a relatively inexpensive butlight and strong unit capable of being readily employed in theconstruction of frameless panels adapted to be used in theconstructionof walls, floors, ceilings, etc.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an improved type ofstructural unit which for the same weight of metal provides increasedstrength. The unit is capable of being assembled by the unskilledlaborer with a minimum of time and special tool requirements. It can beassembled readily into fabricated panels which in turn can quickly bemade into frameless walls, floors, and ceilings. Furthermore, the unitis adapted to the production of columns, girders, etc., if desired.

A further object of my invention is to provide a structural unit of thecharacter indicated which can be fabricated of similar parts and weightsof metal to produce units or panels or various desired strengths as forexample loadbearing partitions or ordinary partitions.

The foregoing and other objects of my invention are achieved by theprovision of a metal unit comprising a strip of sheet metal having arelatively narrow fiat central portion inclined edge portions. The edgeportions are in the form of substantially triangular areas having thebases of the areas on one side of the central strip portionlongitudinally intermediate of the bases of the areas on the other sideof the central portion Pittsburgh, Pa.

to provide a continuously repeated zigzag-shaped strip. Rolled metalsections are welded to the flat central portion and. to the extremelateral edges of the strip to provide a unit substantially triangular intransverse section,

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a plan view of a unit constructedin accordance with the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is asideelevation of the unit illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transversecross-sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is anenlarged fragmentary view of the preferred manner of forming the meetingedges of the sides of the strip incorporated in the unit; Fig. 5 is aview similar to Fig. 4 but of a modified mannerof practicingtheinvention; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 but of stillanother embodiment of the referred to feature of the invention; Fig. '1is a plan view of a plurality of individual units connected together ito form a panel adapted to be used in the construction of a building;Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but illustrates a modified manner ofsecuring the individual units into panel form; Fig. 9 is a plan'view,compound unit providing greater strength; cross-sectional view taken online X--X of Fig. 9 but on a larger scale and with the thickness of thesheet metal exaggerated to better illustrate the construction; Fig. 11is a plan view of an interlocked compound unit have increased strength;Fig. 12 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line XII- XIIof Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a plan view of a plurality of units assembledin a panel-and illustrating how the units are adapted to form pointedpanels.

Having reference to the accompanying drawings, the improved unitembodying the principles of my invention includes a strip metal portion,indicated as a whole by the numeral I0, having a longitudinallyextending relatively narrow flat central portion l2 and similarly butoppositely inclined edge portions l4 and ordinarily of about I20 degreeswith each other. It will be appreciated that the smaller 7 between theedge portions i4 and 16 the greater is the thickness and strength ofeach unit. I therefore contemplate angles of between about degrees (forweaker and flatter units) and about 30 degrees (for stronger and thickerunits). Each of the inclined side portions I4 and i6 is formed withsubstantially triangularly-shaped areas and 20 terminating in flanges 22and 24 substantially parallel to the flat central portion 12.

be evident from Fig. 1, the triangular the metal strip i0 areas i8 and20 of are longitudinally on'set from each other so that the retriangularareas It and 20 are secured to the suiting strip when viewed in plan iszigzag or of angles 26 and 30. Upper straps 42 also extend continuouslyrepeated 2 shape. Expressed in at other than a right angle to the units.The

other words, the bases of the triangular areas l8 straps are ordinarilyof 1'," x or'l" metal are spaced intermediate to the bases of thetristrip and are secured, preferably by welding, to

ts a

of the size and character specifically hereinafter turned end for endbut are continuously repeated.

angular areas and improves the. strength and 46 and transverse tiestraps indicated by the dott 0] rt areas instead of aradius undercertain conditions. be employed on the top of the panel, but if de- 0Also, as shown in Fig. 6, the edges of adjacent sired can be, and thesestraps will ordinarily be triangular areas I8 or may come together tooppositely of the straps 48.

form a V-notch particularly where the stresses The individual panels asshown in Figs. 7 and narily for structural purposes the uni can el x innduit water pable of being out t any d ir d length t perpipes, etc., asrepresented by the dotted circle orm a particular operati Longltudin yand diagonally e tending con As illustrated m Fig 3, the units areadapted Hits. p n s. t ar k wis a ly handl d 50 to function ordinarilyas floors or ceilings in the In e manufacture of fabricated units of thposition shown but may be inverted if desired. ha c er described I cutthe zigzag metal strips sui into panels bounded by sheet metal channelsin rollers with the strip be cut whil progressive y oppositely turned orof opposite hand, the sevsheet metal strip having a flat central andineral units are placed side by side to provide dia-v clined edgeportions secured. as by welding, to mond-shaped openings and areconnected by longitudinally extending rolled metal sections ansverselyextending tie straps preferably posl- 28a, and 30a, all parts beingidentical to simtioned both at the lower and upper surface of the arparts in the unit of Figs addiassem ed units although in ce aminstallations onal zigzag sheet metal strip Nib having a flat the strapsmay be used on only one side or on central rton and inclined edges isfastened, neither side ofthe panel. preferably by welding, to the top ofthe strip Ina In Fig. 7 the transverse bottom straps, lndibutinlongitudinally oflset relation thereto. Oil'- cated by dotted lines 40,extend at other than a set relation, as will be evident from Fig. 9,comright angle to the units and engage with the botprises positioningthe lateral tabs or triangular toms of the units adjacent the pointswhere the areas of one strip midway between the tabs or 75 strips illcangular'areas Na and 29a. of strip "la and are fastened as by welding tothe rolled metal sections 26a, 28a and 30a.

The resulting compound unit is stronger than the unit of Figs. 1 to 3employing a single strip of sheet metal. The compound unit assembledwithout requiring difof -metal and thereby the invention provides a unitmade of like materials to various strengths as desired. For example,three strips it may be superimposed usually in longitudinally offsetrelation to form a compound unit. While the zigzag metal strips iii ofthe unit of Figs. 1 to 3 are adapted to compounding as described, itunderstood that the strip of my copending application Serial No. 13,868is also adapted to compounding or overlapping.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 11 and 12 l. haveprovided what I call an interlocked compound unit. Zigzag sheet metal an"id identical to the strips III are positioned with respect to eachother as best shown in Fig. 12. The strips are fastened, preferably bywelding, to longitudinal rolled metal sections 28c, 26d, 280:, 30c, and30d. The section 289: bridges between the metal strips inc and Nd. Whilenot requisite the strength of the unit is further improved by securinglongitudinals 52 between the triangular areas of the strips I00 and llidas shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The resulting interlocked compound unitconstructed of the same parts as the unit of Figs. 1 to 3 isparticularly adapted to function floor section and is advantageouslyadditional strength is required. The unit of my copendlng applicationabove referred to may also be made up to provide an interlocking unit aswill be understood.

In the use of the 'compound'units of Figs. 9 to 12 they are formed intopanels iii-exactly the same way as the unit of Figs. 1 to 3. In additionI contemplate a composite panel constructed in part of ordinary unitsand in part of compound units positioned for example in a floor panel sothat the weight of a wall or partition is borne by the compound unit orunits.

As shown in Fig. 13, the un' ts are particularly adapted to theconstruction of pointed panels to be used, for example, as wallssupporting sloping roofs. The'substantially right angles of the zigzagsof the strips Ill specifically adapt the panels to 45 degree points butalso pan ls having points formed onother angles can easily be made. Theunits in panel form are surrounded by a frame 54 as heretoforedescribed.

In the description of my invention particular reference has been made toits use in the construction of irameless buildings. However, it shouldbe understood that the units of my invention are adapted to use with askeleton frame building or in similar uses if desired.

Although I have described the strips ill as ordinarily being cut fromrelatively wide sheets in production operations, nevertheless I may formthe strips from relatively-narrow strip metal cut on an angle to formshort pieces which are bent along a diagonal. The individual pieces arethen welded or otherwise connected end to endalong a diagonal to providethe zigzag strip described 9,015,875 I 3 triangular areas of the otherstrip. Thus the which is reinforced with the longitudinals 2i. lateraltriangular areas lib and 20b of the strip 28, and 30.

lb extend into the openings between the tri- In certain instances, asfor example where an extra and unfigured load is imposed, I have foundit advisable to strengthen the panels of built up units either before orafter they are installed in a building. In addition to the use of unitsas above ening a panel units by the use described I contemplatestrengthof laterally directed triangular strips of the type shown in myoopending application. The strips are preferably used in the form ofdiamond-shaped lengths bent with triangular tabs or areas which extenddown into the troughs between the longitudinal units to which theyarewelded or otherwise secured. .The result is a two-way constructionhaving longitudinally extending units strengthened laterally wherenecessary or desired with diamond-shaped squares extending and lyingsubstantially flat with the surfaceof the units. Straps 40, l2, and 48may be eliminated when lateral strengthening means of the type justdescribed is employed.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the objects of myinvention have been achieved by the provision of improved structuralunits which are relatively simple to manufacture but which are light andstrong. The units adapt themselves to fabrication of various kinds andparticularly to frameless building structures. Once the framelessbuilding structure is provided, the structure can be finished with brickveneer. wood-surfacing, internal plaster, or the like, in

accordance with known practice.

While in compliance with the patent statutes. one specific embodiment ofmy invention has been illustrated and described in detail, appreciated.that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, but is defined inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A metal building unit capable of being fabricated into walls, floors,columns and similar building structures, said unit comprising a strip ofsheet metal having a relatively narrow flat central portion withsimilarly bent but oppositely inclined edge portions, said edge portionsbeing in the form of substantially triangular areas having the bases ofthe areas on one side of the central portion longitudinally intermediateof the bases of the areas on the other side of the central portion sothat a continuously repeated substantially Z-shaped strip is provided,and rolled metal angles welded to the flat central portion and to theextreme lateral edges of the-strip, the angle at the central portion ofthe strip being of greater cross-section than the edge angles.

2. A metal build ng unit capable of being fabricated into walls, floors,columns and similar building structures, said unit comprising a strip ofsheet metal having a central portion with similarly bent but oppositelyinclined edge portions, said edge portions being in the form ofsubstantially triangular areas having the bases ofthe areas on one sideof the central portion longitudinally intermediate of the bases of theareas on the other side of the central portion so that a zigzag-shaped.strip is provided, and rolled metal angles secured to the centralportion and to the lateral edges of the strip.

3. A metal building unit capable of being fabricated into walls, floors,columns and similar building structures, said unit comprising a strip ofsheet metal having a relatively narrow central compound havinglongitudinally extending into the troughs of the units 4 v gouge portionwith bent but oppositely inclined edge each of said units including zzagsheet portions, said edge portions being in the form 01 strip metal bentalong a central longitudinal line,

longitudinally oiiset oi the bases of the areas on metal sectionssecured to the central and edge ding unit comprising a metal strip whichcomprises a pl ali y 01 longitudinally exat spaced intervals along eachside 01' the 31:11 sectional shape, a frame of sheet m tal the portionsbeing removed on one side of the channels surrounding h n s; each 01said strip inlong mdm u oflset l t t t units including a zigzag sheet ofstrip metal bent tions removed on the other s de of the strip so 810118a al ngitudinal line, and rolled metal as to provide a continuousZ-shaped strip in plan sectmns secured to t central and 8 9011710118 tmp a to provide a mm: strip in plan View, bent along a centrallongitudinal line, and rolled said strip being bent along its centerlongitudinal, metal sectmns secured t0 the central and edge andmetal-strengthening sections secured to the pm'tmns the sheetedges ofthe strip and to the center longitudinal. A fabricated structural memberuse as 7. A building unit comprising a metal strip ceiling in namelessbuildlns uni time s semz'zzmz zimili she comes an longitudinal line, andmetal sections welded to the central and edge portions of the sheettions or the strip.

a second zigzag strip or sheet metal in overlying 9 A structuml g f g az t g engagement with the first strip but longitudin repeated s P n P ans p o s ererrom secured to the edge longitudinals as time "cured t0 thecentral and t0 the 16. A compound unit 01' the character described edgePo i t stripcomprising a stri I p or sheet metal bent on an l 10. Afabri ated structurtll member at angle along a central longitudinal andhaving a floor, wall or eilin in a trameiess building longitudinallyrepeated poly nal-sha ed edge 1'1. An interlocked compound structuralunit a second similar comprising a zigzag strip of sheet metal bent onan position to angle along a central longitudinal, longitudinallycentral longl extending strengthening means secured to the said secondstrip being 5 edge portions or the strip, a second similar strip thefirst strip of sheet metal in juxtaposition to the first-named tions 0!th strip and bent along a central longitudinal options of th positely oithe first strip, said second strip being strengthenin longitudinallyoilset of the first strip so that the of the second 10 anguiariyinclined zigza portions or the second extending str strip extend betweenthe portions of the first central portion 0 strip, longitudinallyextending strengthening 1. A 00 means secured to the edge portions orthe second pair of strip, and a common, longitudinally extending peatedl5 strengthening member secured to the central porportions tion of boththe strips. strip exten 18. An interlocked compound structural unit theother strip com rising a strip of sheet metal bent on an ing,longitudinal angle along a central longitudinal and having tions sec 20longitudinally repeated polygonal-shaped edge and a met portions,longitudinally extending strengthening strip and hol means secured tothe edge portions oi the strip,

the first-named strip he angularly inc extend between-the longitudinalcured to the and a common member secured to e first strip,

angular areas the triangular areas of one the triangular ar 0! thestrip,

ding between sheet metal in juxtaand bent along a of the first strip,

d e portions longitudinally the ni comprising a ngitudinally reformingthe edge eas of s of the areas crossed metal sec-

